Evaluating the Link Between Vitamin D Deficiency and Tuberculosis in Adult Patients

Abstract

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious public health problem in Pakistan, where vitamin D deficiency is also very common as TB. Vitamin D has been implicated in the regulation of the immune system and its deficiency has been suggested to make an individual susceptible to infections such as TB. Objective: To determine the association between vitamin D deficiency and tuberculosis in adult patients presenting to a tertiary care hospital. Methodology: A case-control study was conducted among 72 adults (36 TB patients and 36 healthy controls) from January to December 2023. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations were measured, and participants were classified as vitamin D deficient (<20 ng/mL), insufficient (20–29 ng/mL), or sufficient (≥30 ng/mL). Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS version 25. Results: The average vitamin D status was substantially lower in TB cases (18.8 ng/mL) than in controls (31.5 ng/mL) (p < 0.001). Vitamin D deficiency was present in 86.1% of TB cases versus 25% of controls. The risk of having TB among those with vitamin D deficiency was 13.6 times greater (95% CI: 4.3–42.5). Both male and female TB patients had significantly reduced BMI and vitamin D status than controls. Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency is closely linked with risk of tuberculosis. These data are consistent with the potential of vitamin D to prevent and treat TB, and highlight the significance of screening and supplementation in high-risk individuals.